Member login 
Coeliac New Zealand Logo

How to Read Food Labels

How to Read Food Labels

Our Advice

blank
When following a gluten free diet you will invariably spend a lot of time reading food labels. There is a lot of information on packaging such as —nutritional information, ingredient list, advice on allergens, cooking instructions and storage information.

Some Rules

blank
Rule 1:
Try to choose foods labelled 'gluten free' or foods carrying the Crossed Grain logo. For a list of Crossed Grain accredited brands and foodstuffs, please refer to our shopping guide.
Rule 2:
If you don’t see wheat, rye, barley, oats or gluten on the ingredient list on a food label then there are no ingredients derived from gluten-containing grains and the product is gluten free (applies to products manufactured in NZ and Australia only)        
Rule 3:
Exceptions to Rule 2, there are some ingredients derived from wheat which are so highly processed that they contain ‘no detectable gluten’ due to processing. These include caramel from wheat, dextrose from wheat, glucose syrup from wheat* and maltodextrin.

The Most Important Rule:

blank

If in doubt, leave it out.

*For further information regarding 2016 legislation changes regarding labelling exemptions for glucose syrup derived to wheat (and distilled alcohol from wheat or whey), please go to the FSANZ website.

blank

Become A Member

blank
  • Get advice, support, recipes and more throughout your coeliac journey
  • Become part of a lively and supportive community
  • Receive updates from medical professionals, manufacturers, and researchers
  • Gain access to our member only resources, support groups, kids’ clubs, special offers, and the Coeliac Link magazine
Member Plans

Available Resources

blank

We have fantastic resources available to assist with label reading that new members receive for free in their member's pack. The resources below are also available at a discount price for members via our store. Please sign up, or log-in, if you would like to purchase these discounted booklets.

If you are not a Coeliac NZ member, you can also purchase these books through the online store at RRP.

Get Involved

blank

Support your charity – the only not-for-profit supporting Kiwis with coeliac disease. Become part of Coeliac New Zealand now.

Volunteer

blank

Volunteering is a great way to grow your community and share your knowledge with others. Find out how.

Volunteer

Donate

Help us reach more people who are suffering from coeliac disease. Contribute to the greater good of your community.

Make a donation

Fundraise

blank

We are always on the look-out for passionate people interested in raising funds and building awareness about coeliac disease

Get in touch

About Coeliac New Zealand

blank

Your partner in
healthy living

Coeliac New Zealand is available throughout your journey. As part of our community, you’ll get support, advice, and assistance. We work with health professionals, manufacturers, and researchers to raise awareness of coeliac disease in NZ.

Together, we can reach a day when every person with coeliac disease gets diagnosed quickly, lives a healthy life, and has the prospect of a cure.

Latest News

blank
20/01/2025
Back to school advice blank

It’s that time of year, again, when many families are thinking of school uniforms, stationery lists, bus rides, after-school care, and children connecting with friends and adjusting to a new routine. It is also when parents of a coeliac child are wondering if their child’s new teacher knows what coeliac disease is and understands what […]

Read More
20/01/2025
Ben Grant shares his lived experience of coeliac disease blank

I've recently moved to Dunedin with my young family, after being in Auckland for the last seven years. Eating out has always been a source of anxiety for me since getting diagnosed with coeliac disease, but over the years we found several spots we knew 'got it', which gave me confidence that I could enjoy […]

Read More
20/01/2025
Looking forward to 2025 blank

Working at Coeliac New Zealand, I have learnt so much in 2024.  People have been my greatest learning asset as you, our community have shared your stories and your lives with us here at Coeliac New Zealand. As a small organisation, we strive to meet the needs of our community and to grow knowledge, encourage […]

Read More
blank
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram